Psalm 45

To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. In this song of loves, are celebrated, (1.) The glories of Jesus our Redeemer, particularly the transcendant comeliness and blessedness of his person, God-man; his almighty power in conquering his people, and destroying his enemies; the eternity, firmness, and equity of his government: his royal unction with the Holy Ghost above measure; his fitness for his work, and the splendour of his court, ver. 1-9. (2.) The glories of the redeemed; their listening to Jesus' proposals of marriage union with himself; their renunciation of all others for his sake; their reverential submission to, and worship of him, ver. 10-11; their glorious ornaments of righteousness and grace; and their glorious entrance into the new covenant, and the eternal state, ver. 12-15; their glorious succession and work, for perpetuating the fame of the Redeemer, ver. 16-17. In singing this song of the Lamb, let me with open face behold his glory, and be changed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord. Let my admiration of his excellency swell to the brim, and my love burn with a most vehement flame; and let my hopes of being for ever with him, be strong and lively. Let my heart be all wonder at his excellency, fulness, and grace all subjection to his government and laws; and let my lips be filled with his praise and honour all the day. First Version (C.M.) 1 My heart brings forth a goodly thing; my words that I indite Concern the King: my tongue's a pen of one that swift doth write. 2 Thou fairer art than sons of men: into thy lips is store Of grace infus'd; God therefore thee hath bless'd for evermore. 3 O thou that art the mighty One, thy sword gird on thy thigh; Ev'n with thy glory excellent, and with thy majesty. 4 For meekness, truth, and righteousness, in state ride prosp'rously; And thy right hand shall thee instruct in things that fearful be. 5 Thine arrows sharply pierce the heart of th' en'mies of the King; And under thy subjection the people down do bring. 6 For ever and for ever is, O God, thy throne of might; The sceptre of thy kingdom is a sceptre that is right. 7 Thou lovest right, and hatest ill; for God, thy God, most high, Above thy fellows hath with th' oil of joy anointed thee. 8 Of aloes, myrrh, and cassia, a smell thy garments had, Out of the iv'ry palaces, whereby they made thee glad. 9 Among thy women honourable kings' daughters were at hand: Upon thy right hand did the queen in gold of Ophir stand. 10 O daughter, hearken and regard, and do thine ear incline; Likewise forget thy father's house, and people that are thine. 11 Then of the King desir'd shall be thy beauty veh'mently: Because he is thy Lord, do thou him worship rev'rently. 12 The daughter there of Tyre shall be with gifts and off 'rings great: Those of the people that are rich thy favour shall entreat. 13 Behold, the daughter of the King all glorious is within; And with embroideries of gold her garments wrought have been. 14 She shall be brought unto the King in robes with needle wrought; Her fellow-virgins following shall unto thee be brought. 15 They shall be brought with gladness great, and mirth on ev'ry side, Into the palace of the King, and there they shall abide. 16 Instead of those thy fathers dear, thy children thou may'st take, And in all places of the earth them noble princes make. 17 Thy name remember'd I will make through ages all to be: The people therefore evermore shall praises give to thee. Second Version (S.M.) 1 My heart inditing is good matter in a song: I speak the things that I have made, which to the King belong: My tongue shall be as quick, his honour to indite, As is the pen of any scribe that useth fast to write. 2 Thou'rt fairest of all men; grace in thy lips doth flow: And therefore blessings evermore on thee doth God bestow. 3 Thy sword gird on thy thigh, thou that art most of might: Appear in dreadful majesty, and in thy glory bright. 4 For meekness, truth, and right, ride prosp'rously in state; And thy right hand shall teach to thee things terrible and great. 5 Thy shafts shall pierce their hearts that foes are to the King; Whereby into subjection the people thou shalt bring. 6 Thy royal seat, O Lord, for ever shall remain: The sceptre of thy kingdom doth all righteousness maintain. 7 Thou lov'st right, and hat'st ill; for God, thy God, most high, Above thy fellows hath with th' oil of joy anointed thee. 8 Of myrrh and spices sweet a smell thy garments had, Out of the iv'ry palaces, whereby they made thee glad. 9 And in thy glorious train kings' daughters waiting stand; And thy fair queen, in Ophir gold, doth stand at thy right hand. 10 O daughter, take good heed, incline, and give good ear; Thou must forget thy kindred all, and father's house most dear. 11 Thy beauty to the King shall then delightful be: And do thou humbly worship him, because thy Lord is he. 12 The daughter then of Tyre there with a gift shall be, And all the wealthy of the land shall make their suit to thee. 13 The daughter of the King all glorious is within; And with embroideries of gold her garments wrought have been. 14 She cometh to the King in robes with needle wrought; The virgins that do follow her shall unto thee be brought. 15 They shall be brought with joy, and mirth on ev'ry side, Into the palace of the King, and there they shall abide. 16 And in thy fathers' stead, thy children thou may'st take, And in all places of the earth them noble princes make. 17 I will shew forth thy name to generations all: Therefore the people evermore to thee give praises shall.